Advanced Practice: LiDAR-aided Precise Localistion and Control for high-speed AMRs in Complex Industrial Environment

Background and Motivation

Autonamous MObile Robots (AMRs) are mobile robots that navigate around the factory by following a predefined path (identified either physcially by a pre-installed magnetic/visual strips or virtually by indoor localisation systems). AMRs usually preform the material transportation tasks in a manufacturing, warehouse or harbour facility. In approaching to the era of Industry 4.0, smarter AMRss are highly demanded for enabling more agile manufacturing, where AMRs collaborate with each other as a fleet to carry out complicated tasks in a complex and rapid-changing environment. .

Project Overview

This group project is based on the collaboration with our industrial partner ADM Automation. ADM develop and manufacture the iCart automated guided vehicle. As part of their research and development activities they need to explore potential technologies that can improve the performance of the iCart, reduce costs and expand the operator interface capabilities. The five projects identified below would assist ADM in achieving their objectives.

1. Charging Management for AGV fleets
2. LiDAR-aided Precise Localisation of AGVs for Open Path following in Complex Industry Environment
3. Vision Encoder for AGVs
4. Advanced Navigation Control for High-speed AGVs
5. Operator-friendly Communication and Command AGV System via WiFi
6. Object detection via LiDAR for Load and Workstation Monitoring

More details about the AGV-related projects, can be found here